2012 Kia Soul Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Soul years
The 2012 Kia Soul has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th-worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 44% of complaints, with 3 recalls covering brakes, engine, and structure/body issues.
- Complaints
- 514
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 25 / 23
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24.5 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2012 Kia Soul problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine224 (44%)
- Steering166 (32%)
- Brakes53 (10%)
- Electrical System47 (9%)
- Other40 (8%)
- Fuel System23 (4%)
- Structure & Body23 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (4%)
- Airbags17 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting shortly after driving, sometimes tied to fuel injection or catalytic converter issues.
- Some drivers describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including one case where the vehicle flipped several times.
- Owners describe sudden loss of braking power at low speed, leading to a crash and airbag deployment.
- Some report the electronic stability control falsely activating soon after purchase, locking the steering wheel until significant force was applied.
- One report describes an airbag deploying with enough force to burn through clothing and cause skin burns.
2012 Kia Soul recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 19V120000Feb 22, 2019Engine378,967 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Risk: Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
- NHTSA 14V822000Dec 29, 2014Structure & Body95,314 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
2012 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Kia Soul reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Kia Soul a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 5th-worst among 16 model years, which places it in the Caution category relative to other Soul years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Soul?
- Engine issues make up 44% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 119,300 miles. Steering follows at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,500 miles.
- Does the 2012 Kia Soul have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul covering brakes, the engine (catalytic converter overheating on 1.6L GDI engines), and a structure/body issue involving sunroof headliner plates.
- How does the 2012 Kia Soul compare to other Soul years?
- The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2010 (20), 2011 (47), 2017 (53), and 2018 (40), but better than 2013 through 2016, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 80 to 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Kia Soul?
- The EPA rates the 2012 Kia Soul at 26.5 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.